We live in exciting times, when innovations in fields such as science, engineering and technology are changing the way we live and work. At Abel & Imray, it’s our job to protect many of these ideas so they can flourish. You could be a major part of that.

We’re seeking two of the brightest minds to become trainee patent attorneys in our growing Chem/Bio team – joining a firm with a reputation for the highest professional standards and winning client relationships.

Those clients come from industries as diverse as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, petrochemicals and consumer products – fields you’ll immerse yourself in.

Inspired by pioneering inventions and ideas, you’ll be ready to offer up your technical expertise. In return, we’ll drive your career forwards (and upwards), making the best of your talents and focussing on exam success – all within a dynamic, inclusive working culture.

The opportunity

You won’t sit still here. This is a fast-paced, varied role where each day brings fresh challenges and exciting opportunities. It’s also the first step in a career with a forward-thinking firm that will constantly look at how you can help shape our future – and how we can further yours.

As a graduate, we’ll support you with thorough training. Mostly this will be in-house, but we’ll encourage you to explore further by attending lectures and taking external courses – in particular the 13-week Intellectual Property Law Certificate with Queen Mary, University of London. You’ll be working towards the examinations needed to qualify as a Chartered Patent Attorney and European Patent Attorney.

The role will focus on serving either biotechnology or industrial chemistry/chemical technology clients.  For our biotechnology clients, we protect innovations concerning antibodies, vaccines, immunology and drug delivery systems.  For out industrial chemistry/chemical technology clients, we protect innovations concerning refining processes, catalysis, fine chemicals, coatings, polymeric materials, lubricants, food technology, paper making, consumer products and pharmaceutical formulations.

Who we’re looking for

You’ll like nothing more than a diverse workload that allows you to flex your intellectual talents. Being a patent attorney demands a blend of scientific and technical expertise, and specialist legal knowledge, so you’ll be a high-calibre graduate with a curious streak – and a problem-solver at heart.

• You will hold or be aiming for a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree (or the equivalent) in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, molecular biology or a related subject.
• You will need to be a clear and concise writer with an aptitude for languages having a grade A English Language GCSE, Scottish Standard or corresponding qualification.
• Being a confident communicator is important, because you’ll be talking to everyone from the Chairman of an international corporation to a laboratory assistant from a niche scientific field.
• You could either be at the start of your career or looking for a new challenge following experience of working in industry in a relevant sector. Post-graduate qualifications are not essential, but would be valued.

Along with academic success and technical expertise, we value strong organisational and administrative abilities.

More about us

Put simply, we safeguard ideas. Specialising in patents, trade marks and registered designs, we counsel clients in intellectual property protection – from brand new start-ups to well-known conglomerates. That sees us dealing with IP offices in the UK, Europe and beyond.

In our Bath, Cardiff and London offices, we’ve been growing steadily. That’s set to continue, with a varied list of innovative, international clients spanning the chemical and biotechnology fields:

• Avon (cosmetics)
• Cancer Research UK
• Chevron Phillips
• CooperVision (contact lenses)
• Imperial College London
• Nike
• Norgine
• Sanofi
• Seattle Genetics
• pladis

Ours is a firm with a prestigious history, but one eye always on the future. From longstanding attorneys to brand new trainees, everyone who works here has a part to play in defining that future – and that will include you.

We’re proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunities employer. We treat everyone we work with – and for – fairly, and we respect diversity. That means nurturing each employee’s particular talents and supporting all to reach their personal goals. We also work hard to promote equality, diversity and inclusivity within the wider legal community we’re part of, as members of IP Inclusive. We are also members of WISE and Working Forward.

How to apply

The closing date for applications is 30 November 2019, and we plan to hold initial interviews in December and January. The successful candidates would then begin work during the second half of 2020, with some flexibility if needed.